A modern-style tomato greenhouse

In a remarkable leap towards modern agriculture, Lucheng's digital plant factory has launched its first batch of high-tech cherry tomatoes, produced under stringent sterile management to ensure "pest and disease-free" conditions. Utilizing over 100 sensors to facilitate growth with "zero ripening agents," the tomatoes showcase impressive productivity rates—yielding 2 to 3 times per mu that of traditional outdoor farming. Currently, the factory can supply the market with up to 3 tons of fresh tomatoes daily.

Entering the factory’s modern-style glass greenhouse, workers must pass through two sterilization processes. Every worker is required to wear gloves and sterile clothing while working inside the greenhouse.

"The growth substrate used in the greenhouse is fully sterilized, and therefore, workers must adhere to strict sterilization protocols, effectively preventing pests and diseases to maintain a green and pollution-free environment," explained Xu Ming, technology supervisor at Wenzhou Agricultural Science Town Digital Plant Factory. He highlighted the technological advancements: the greenhouse is constructed primarily of diffused glass, enhancing light transmittance to 97%. It is equipped with 100 intelligent sensors, enabling continuous monitoring and smart adjustments of temperature, light, water, nutrients, and air, allowing the plants to thrive year-round in optimal conditions, thus ensuring “zero ripeners” of the produce.

Unexpectedly, this "tomato forest," which spans approximately 38,000 square meters and produces 3 tons daily, operates with no more than 30 employees.

"The factory environment is clean and pollution-free, equipped with automated lifts and transport devices, which relieve workers from climbing and manual handling. The transportation of tomatoes is entirely mechanized, significantly reducing labor intensity, making it manageable even for the elderly," Xu added. He noted that Wenzhou's digital plant factory not only addresses the shortage of land resources in Lucheng District but also offers solutions to the problem of "who will farm."

Currently, over 30 villagers near Tenqiao Town have been trained in techniques such as vine management and leaf pruning under the guidance of a technical team. They have also begun operating mechanized equipment and participating in data recording and analysis, transitioning from traditional farming to becoming "technologically adept farmers," all while gaining employment opportunities close to home.

The success of these tomatoes is contributing to local prosperity. In recent years, Lucheng District has vigorously promoted the "three-in-one" reform in rural areas, striving to create the most comprehensive and integrated modern agricultural complex in Tenqiao Town. This initiative provides a one-stop service for "production, supply, and credit," resulting in the reintegration of over 50 households nearby into the workforce, with total income growth surpassing 1 million RMB.